Bipolar disorder decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar and schizoaffective disorders, has been reopened. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination and provide a more thorough opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective December 11, 2014.,The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder with substance use disorder and depressed mood prevents him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete compliance with prior directives, including obtaining private treatment records and SSA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine if his back disability and psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression. The evidence does not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for service-connected bipolar disorder was denied as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in June 2011, but the Board has now granted reopening of this claim and service connection for bipolar disorder. The decision also grants service connection for any psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the evidence supports a relationship between the Veteran's in-service symptoms of depression and anxiety and his current diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of schizoaffective disorder, anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, and psychosis as they were improperly filed in the legacy appeal system.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran was provided another opportunity to submit information about his stressors and a new medical opinion is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than bipolar disorder is remanded due to the need for clarification on whether his diagnosed persistent depressive disorder and intermittent explosive disorder are superimposed upon a personality disorder, or if they have any relation to military service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 50 percent, which grants a higher rating than the current 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD under DSM-5 but met the criteria for unspecified depressive disorder and stimulant (cocaine) use disorder in sustained remission. Service connection was also denied for right knee osteoarthritis, right hip degenerative joint disease, and status post total hip arthroplasty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of medical evidence diagnosing PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric condition is better diagnosed as bipolar disorder, which does not meet the criteria for service connection under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f). For TDIU, the Veteran was granted based on his already established service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a right leg disorder claimed as secondary to service-connected back and/or left hip disabilities, and also denied the claim for TDIU due to these conditions.

The Board has granted payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred from February 8 to 16, 2016, at CHI due to reasonable attempts being made to request transfer to a VA facility during the Veteran's hospitalization.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in diagnoses and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder, combined with other service-connected disabilities, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from March 28, 2015. Therefore, the claim for SMC based on housebound status is granted as of that date.